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Gen. Mark A. Welsh III assumed command of U.S. Air Forces in Europe from Gen. Roger A. Brady at a ceremony Dec. 13, becoming the 34th commander of USAFE.
“Certainly, succeeding General Brady as commander is a daunting prospect, but the Air Force is so very fortunate to have in Gen. Mark Welsh an accomplished Airman and leader who is equal to the challenge,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, who co-officiated the ceremony with Adm. James Stavridis, U.S. European Command and NATO Supreme Allied Commander, Europe.
“Your proven leadership at the squadron, group and wing levels, as well as the high praise you received for an outstanding job as the USAFE director of plans and programs, has poised you for success as the next USAFE commander,” General Schwartz said to General Welsh. “As you step into this new role, we are all confident that you will continue to excel.”
Admiral Stavridis also welcomed General Welsh to the command, emphasizing the importance of USAFE to the EUCOM mission.
“Now, I know I’m a Navy admiral, but I think I’m allowed to celebrate air power as well, and in no place on Earth does it come together as capably as it does here,” he said. “This is a command that operates across the entire spectrum of operations — from combat air power to humanitarian operations and building partnerships. Taken together, I would call that ‘smart power.’”
General Welsh said he was humbled to have the opportunity to lead USAFE, Allied Air Command Ramstein, and the Joint Air Power Competence Centre. He discussed his priorities and outlined his vision of where he wants to take the command.
“Providing combat-ready forces and unfailing support to U.S. and NATO commanders engaged in contingency operations remains our No. 1 priority,” General Welsh said. “I also believe success is all about people, pride and performance. I will insist we walk the talk when it comes to taking care of those great Airmen we are privileged to lead.”
The general comes to USAFE from the CIA, where he served as the Associate Director for Military Affairs. A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1976, he also holds a master of science degree in computer resource management from Webster University.
He has served as a fellow in several programs, to include the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Seminar XXI; national security studies programs at Syracuse University and John Hopkins University; Ukrainian Security Studies at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University; the General Manager Program at Harvard Business School; and the Pinnacle Course at National Defense University. He is a command pilot with more than 3,400 hours in various fighter and trainer aircraft.
This is not General Welsh’s first assignment in Europe. In the early 1980s, he served as an A-10 instructor pilot, flight commander and wing standardization and evaluation flight examiner at Royal Air Force Woodbridge, England. From 2001 to 2003 he was assigned to USAFE headquarters as the director of plans and programs.
General Welsh’s previous command experience includes a cadet squadron at the Air Force Academy, a fighter squadron, an operations group, a fighter wing and a training wing. The general also served as Commandant of Cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy; deputy commander, Joint Functional Component Command for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, U.S. Strategic Command; and as the Vice Commander, Air Education and Training Command.
“We are thrilled to be back with our European hosts,” said Betty Welsh, the general’s wife. “We loved our previous time in USAFE and can’t wait to meet the great Airmen and families who are here today.”
